"There's plenty for all!" exclaims Remacle, doing his best to be a gracious host and approving of the man's more moderate stature. "Come and have your fill stranger! It's good to meet a fellow traveler, even if it is under these less than comfortable circumstances," and he offers the man a plate of food.
"Thank you," says the robed stranger, "but just some of the mutton, please, if you don't mind, the more rare bits if you have them."
"Certainly, good sir," says Remacle, taking back the plate and busying the other halflings to slice some meat for their guest.
Seeing the surprise with which he is regarded, the man turns to you and says, "Don't be alarmed, plane-touched ones, I am a treasure-seeker in this forsaken place, as are yourselves. My name is Yundur, and I am looking for a source of funding for a home for the homeless children of the streets of the upper city that I am starting, so that none of them should have to suffer the privations that this child of hell has surely suffered," and he looks towards you, Anakis, with interest as he says this.
“That sounds like a wonderful idea, where did you get the inspiration?” Aluzira asks with genuine curiosity, but also in an attempt to Help Anakis gain some more insight on Yundur.
"Building actually," Yundur says in response to Anakis's first question as he swallows a chunk of mutton, "and I'm currently lacking the funds to complete the project, but once I acquire some of the storied wealth of these underground halls, I'm sure the home will soon open its doors to those needing help."
To you second question, Anakis, Yundur replies, "Well, of course we've never met, but from your dress, I would assume you're not from the city, but perhaps from one of the nearby settlements of the outer bog, and that you have some association with bandits," his eyes lingering on your sequined poncho. "Perhaps the people of the outer settlements are also deserving of some assistance," he says thoughtfully.
"Thank you," he says, turning his attention to Aluzira and responding to her comment, "I have always held Charity to be a high ideal worthy of great effort. If we can't help those in need, I ask you, then how can we expect to better ourselves?" and he continues eating his meal.
Anakis holds out the front of her poncho, remembering the sequins on the front. "I found this out in the swamps when we were fighting some giant frogs, but yes I am from one of the settlements." She sits down and continues to eye Yundur suspiciously, "Why not turn to all the rich people in the city? After all, most of them are the reason for those living in the streets. If anything, they could do with a lesson in hardship and living in the streets," she huffs, folds her arms and turns away.
After a moment though, she turns back, "Hey! Hang on. How have you gotten this far on your own?"
"Well, I'm new to the city," Yundur admits, "and haven't yet established my reputation among its wealthier citizens, but I'm planning to solicit contributions from them after I've finished my business down here. Money attracts money, or so the saying goes. Once they see my project is riding on a formerly unknown fortune in gold, they'll be lining up to have a new wing dedicated in their name in exchange for a substantial gift!"
Yundur seems lost in thought as he tears into a piece of mutton on his plate. Your last question, Anakis, pulls him out of his reverie. "Oh, I have a knack for staying out of sight at the right moments," he says, juice dripping down his chin. "Otherwise, I just try to blend in. Besides, I'm more fierce than I look."
He finishes his meal and stands to take his leave. "I bid you all good fortune in your endeavors," he says to the group, "especially you, my infernal child. Don't let the giant toads eat you alive out in the bog!" and he gives Anakis a kind nudge. "I'm sure we'll all be seeing each other again in the upper city! Farewell!" he says and turns to go.
Anakis scowls as Yundur refers to her. Infernal child was something she had heard many times before. She watches him, wordlessly, as he gets up and leaves.
(OOC - with Anakis watching him closely as he leaves, does she see him make any movements towards our bags of coins or strange movements that would indicate him trying something other than simply getting up and leaving?)
Seeing you scowl at his words, Anakis, Yundur says, "I meant no offense. It's a rare chance to meet one who has the blood of divinity running in her veins. It's something to be proud of and a sign of fitness to rule. Be resolute, and you'll go far!"
He takes his leave and exits by the door through which you entered. Meanwhile, Remacle sets about using the "lucky" hammer to pry the piton out from the door that was spiked shut.
"I suppose we're going back this way. Is that right?" he says opening the door and lighting another torch. "Makes sense, I think, to go out the way we came, unless a better idea comes along that is."
The door opens onto the hallway by which you originally came, which turns left after a short distance ahead of you.
(OOC - with Anakis watching him closely as he leaves, does she see him make any movements towards our bags of coins or strange movements that would indicate him trying something other than simply getting up and leaving?)
Sorry, missed this before I posted, but no, he just leaves.
Anakis pouts as she thinks over Yundur's parting words. She then turns to Remacle as he pries open the door. "Back the way we came is the best idea, I think," she nods. "I'd rather not get lost in the maze that is this underground city."
Aluzira just watches and listens pondering everything that was said between Yunder and Anakis. In response to Remacle she says, “I agree, getting lost down here would not be good,” Then after a moment adds, “Do you know what Yundur meant by divinity? Is your race a divine bloodline of sorts?” Even though she is asking Anakis directly, she looks completely lost in thought. Then snapping out it she adds, “Ah, I meant no offense! I just wasn’t sure, I don’t know much about other races or their origins.”
"Well, if I have divine blood, then I'd love to know why they left me on the streets," Anakis huffs. "I didn't feel so divine searching for scraps with my friends." She absent-mindedly pats Custard as she says this and he sticks his head out for some crumbs.
Assuming you all continue ahead through the door, after following the corridor around a turn to the left and then around a sharp corner to the right, you come back to an intersection with a wide hallway that goes in either direction, filled with a damp smell and strewn with bits of organic material. Straight ahead, however, is a stairway curving up and to the left, draped with spider webs where hang the dried remains of giant centipedes like the ones you fought just a little over an hour ago.
"Ah yes," says Remacle, holding his torch aloft, "this is the way we came. Shall we go up?"
Aluzira nods, fidgeting with her dagger a little “I’m sorry,” then adds with a small smile, “They do say that the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel. He may be right about you achieving great things.” She feels a bit of relief as they approach the stairways, it was comforting to see more familiar places, especially in a place as full of twists and turns as this one.
Anakis shrugs, "I don't feel overly special." She then falls silent and continues on, breathing a sigh of relief as they find the stairs leading out. "Home time?"
The stairway turns ninety degrees to the left as it ascends, and at the top is a chamber filled with the noise of rushing water and a slight breeze, as opposed to the stillness that has predominated in the dank corridors of the under-city. Immediately to your right is an opening to that leads down to the gravel bank of an underground river where you all filled your waterskins over three hours ago, while to your left is an archway through which you can see a wide flight of ascending stairs. Straight ahead of you is a wide hallway leading back the way you came through a cavernous chamber festooned with huge spider webs which, if you recall, leads back to the long stairway by which you descended.
"If we continue forward, we're sure to find our way back out the way we got in," says Remacle, "but this stairway here is another option. What does everyone think?"
Anakis sniffs the air from the other stairway trying to get a sense if the air smells fresher (Perception: 15). "Heading back the way we came would be the easiest option, just because we know it leads out. But then this might be a quicker way out too?" She shrugs as she considers both.
“If we’re looking to get out, then probably the way we came from. Unless anyone is up for one last exploration before heading up?” Aluzira says, not quite sure which to choose herself.
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Aluzira jumps as well turning to look at the newcomer, her eyes wide with surprise.
"There's plenty for all!" exclaims Remacle, doing his best to be a gracious host and approving of the man's more moderate stature. "Come and have your fill stranger! It's good to meet a fellow traveler, even if it is under these less than comfortable circumstances," and he offers the man a plate of food.
"Thank you," says the robed stranger, "but just some of the mutton, please, if you don't mind, the more rare bits if you have them."
"Certainly, good sir," says Remacle, taking back the plate and busying the other halflings to slice some meat for their guest.
Seeing the surprise with which he is regarded, the man turns to you and says, "Don't be alarmed, plane-touched ones, I am a treasure-seeker in this forsaken place, as are yourselves. My name is Yundur, and I am looking for a source of funding for a home for the homeless children of the streets of the upper city that I am starting, so that none of them should have to suffer the privations that this child of hell has surely suffered," and he looks towards you, Anakis, with interest as he says this.
She eyes Yundur suspiciously (Insight: 8). "You're starting a home up in Ekuepool? What do you know about me, mister?"
“That sounds like a wonderful idea, where did you get the inspiration?” Aluzira asks with genuine curiosity, but also in an attempt to Help Anakis gain some more insight on Yundur.
"Building actually," Yundur says in response to Anakis's first question as he swallows a chunk of mutton, "and I'm currently lacking the funds to complete the project, but once I acquire some of the storied wealth of these underground halls, I'm sure the home will soon open its doors to those needing help."
To you second question, Anakis, Yundur replies, "Well, of course we've never met, but from your dress, I would assume you're not from the city, but perhaps from one of the nearby settlements of the outer bog, and that you have some association with bandits," his eyes lingering on your sequined poncho. "Perhaps the people of the outer settlements are also deserving of some assistance," he says thoughtfully.
"Thank you," he says, turning his attention to Aluzira and responding to her comment, "I have always held Charity to be a high ideal worthy of great effort. If we can't help those in need, I ask you, then how can we expect to better ourselves?" and he continues eating his meal.
Anakis holds out the front of her poncho, remembering the sequins on the front. "I found this out in the swamps when we were fighting some giant frogs, but yes I am from one of the settlements." She sits down and continues to eye Yundur suspiciously, "Why not turn to all the rich people in the city? After all, most of them are the reason for those living in the streets. If anything, they could do with a lesson in hardship and living in the streets," she huffs, folds her arms and turns away.
After a moment though, she turns back, "Hey! Hang on. How have you gotten this far on your own?"
"Well, I'm new to the city," Yundur admits, "and haven't yet established my reputation among its wealthier citizens, but I'm planning to solicit contributions from them after I've finished my business down here. Money attracts money, or so the saying goes. Once they see my project is riding on a formerly unknown fortune in gold, they'll be lining up to have a new wing dedicated in their name in exchange for a substantial gift!"
Yundur seems lost in thought as he tears into a piece of mutton on his plate. Your last question, Anakis, pulls him out of his reverie. "Oh, I have a knack for staying out of sight at the right moments," he says, juice dripping down his chin. "Otherwise, I just try to blend in. Besides, I'm more fierce than I look."
He finishes his meal and stands to take his leave. "I bid you all good fortune in your endeavors," he says to the group, "especially you, my infernal child. Don't let the giant toads eat you alive out in the bog!" and he gives Anakis a kind nudge. "I'm sure we'll all be seeing each other again in the upper city! Farewell!" he says and turns to go.
Anakis scowls as Yundur refers to her. Infernal child was something she had heard many times before. She watches him, wordlessly, as he gets up and leaves.
(OOC - with Anakis watching him closely as he leaves, does she see him make any movements towards our bags of coins or strange movements that would indicate him trying something other than simply getting up and leaving?)
Seeing you scowl at his words, Anakis, Yundur says, "I meant no offense. It's a rare chance to meet one who has the blood of divinity running in her veins. It's something to be proud of and a sign of fitness to rule. Be resolute, and you'll go far!"
He takes his leave and exits by the door through which you entered. Meanwhile, Remacle sets about using the "lucky" hammer to pry the piton out from the door that was spiked shut.
"I suppose we're going back this way. Is that right?" he says opening the door and lighting another torch. "Makes sense, I think, to go out the way we came, unless a better idea comes along that is."
The door opens onto the hallway by which you originally came, which turns left after a short distance ahead of you.
Sorry, missed this before I posted, but no, he just leaves.
(OOC - all good.)
Anakis pouts as she thinks over Yundur's parting words. She then turns to Remacle as he pries open the door. "Back the way we came is the best idea, I think," she nods. "I'd rather not get lost in the maze that is this underground city."
Aluzira just watches and listens pondering everything that was said between Yunder and Anakis. In response to Remacle she says, “I agree, getting lost down here would not be good,” Then after a moment adds, “Do you know what Yundur meant by divinity? Is your race a divine bloodline of sorts?” Even though she is asking Anakis directly, she looks completely lost in thought. Then snapping out it she adds, “Ah, I meant no offense! I just wasn’t sure, I don’t know much about other races or their origins.”
"Well, if I have divine blood, then I'd love to know why they left me on the streets," Anakis huffs. "I didn't feel so divine searching for scraps with my friends." She absent-mindedly pats Custard as she says this and he sticks his head out for some crumbs.
Assuming you all continue ahead through the door, after following the corridor around a turn to the left and then around a sharp corner to the right, you come back to an intersection with a wide hallway that goes in either direction, filled with a damp smell and strewn with bits of organic material. Straight ahead, however, is a stairway curving up and to the left, draped with spider webs where hang the dried remains of giant centipedes like the ones you fought just a little over an hour ago.
"Ah yes," says Remacle, holding his torch aloft, "this is the way we came. Shall we go up?"
Aluzira nods, fidgeting with her dagger a little “I’m sorry,” then adds with a small smile, “They do say that the hotter the fire, the stronger the steel. He may be right about you achieving great things.” She feels a bit of relief as they approach the stairways, it was comforting to see more familiar places, especially in a place as full of twists and turns as this one.
Anakis shrugs, "I don't feel overly special." She then falls silent and continues on, breathing a sigh of relief as they find the stairs leading out. "Home time?"
The stairway turns ninety degrees to the left as it ascends, and at the top is a chamber filled with the noise of rushing water and a slight breeze, as opposed to the stillness that has predominated in the dank corridors of the under-city. Immediately to your right is an opening to that leads down to the gravel bank of an underground river where you all filled your waterskins over three hours ago, while to your left is an archway through which you can see a wide flight of ascending stairs. Straight ahead of you is a wide hallway leading back the way you came through a cavernous chamber festooned with huge spider webs which, if you recall, leads back to the long stairway by which you descended.
"If we continue forward, we're sure to find our way back out the way we got in," says Remacle, "but this stairway here is another option. What does everyone think?"
Anakis sniffs the air from the other stairway trying to get a sense if the air smells fresher (Perception: 15). "Heading back the way we came would be the easiest option, just because we know it leads out. But then this might be a quicker way out too?" She shrugs as she considers both.
“If we’re looking to get out, then probably the way we came from. Unless anyone is up for one last exploration before heading up?” Aluzira says, not quite sure which to choose herself.